If you would like to participate in the upcoming King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade on Saturday, June 10, 2017, there is still time to submit an application. Categories include marching units, decorated floats, equestrian units, marching bands, hula halau and more. Download your application at KonaParade.org

Visitors are welcome to learn about the pa‘u equestrian tradition at the upcoming P‘au Workshop on Saturday, May 13 at Kona Historical Society. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the event is tailored to participants of the upcoming King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade in Historic Kailua Village on Saturday, June 10, 2017. Kumu (teachers) of the pa‘u tradition will be on hand to demonstrate methods of wrapping the pa‘u skirt utilizing a single piece of fabric fastened at the waist with kukui nuts. Lei-making classes will also be held, along with equestrian protocol on horseback. [caption id="attachment_772" align="alignleft" width="640"] Senoe Sakata practices wrapping of the pa‘u[/caption]

Raised on the slopes of Hualalai, Moana Kuma will reign as queen of the 2016 King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade in Kailua-Kona on Saturday, June 11. In her unit, Moana honors her entire extended ohana, friends, and past parade queens who illustrate Kona’s beautiful past, present, and future. As queen, she will pay tribute to her beloved Kona and its people. Moana has been a part of the Kamehameha Day Parade festivities for the last three decades as a pa’u rider, narrator, and planning committee member. She gives her sincere mahalo and aloha to her ohana and friends who have walked this journey with her.

Her first solo recording, Sistah Robi, was released in 1995. Some of the featured artists are Roland Cazimero, Ernie Cruz Jr., Troy Fernandez, Bryan Kessler, Sean Na'auao, Jeff Rasmussen, and Fiji. Oh, and Bu La'ia too. Her second album, Keiki O Ka 'Aina, was released in 1997. This album reveals Robi's love for the children, the land, and life itself. Featured again are Michael Grand, Fiji, Sean Na'auao, and Dave Tucciarone. Also included are the The Ka'au Crater Boys, The Makaha Sons, Cyril Pahinui, BB Shawn (Ishimoto), and chant by Kekuhi Kanahele. All I Want, was released in 2000. Her third CD features some of her favorite songs and many of her favorite musicians. Ranging from Hawaiian, to reggae, blues, jazz and R&B, with lyrics in English, Hawaiian, Tahitian and French. Among guest artists are The Makaha Sons, Kapena, Lehua Kalima of Na Leo Pilimihana, Sakiusa Bulicokocoko, Ernie Cruz Jr., Eric…

Recording artist Hoku Zuttermeister takes the stage at this year's Ho'olaule'a after the parade on June 11, 2016. Hōkū’s album, “‘Āina Kūpuna”, won six 2008 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards including Hawaiian Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Hawaiian Language Performance, Most Promising New Artist and Liner Notes.

Parade participants will gather at Kona Historical Society on Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to learn about the pa'u tradition. Led by Hawaiian kupuna of pa"u, the workshop will feature lei-making demonstrations, pa‘u wrapping sessions, equestrian protocol and history of the pa‘u tradition. The public is invited to attend. For information, contact Barbara Nobriga at 322-9944.

Join the parade on Saturday, June 13, 2015! Preparations are underway for the annual King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade, to be held on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona beginning at 9 a.m. Registration is open to groups and individuals who want to be in the parade, whether marching bands, floats, vehicles, hula halau or equestrian units, either private mounted or pa‘u. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Contact Parade Chairperson Barbara Nobriga at 322-9944

Lily Makuahine Namakaokaia Haanio Kong was born (1927) and raised in Keauhou and is Kupa no Ka aina of Keauhou ("Kupa" means well acquainted with the land of Keauhou) Aunty Lily is the last surviving sibling of 11 children and is a Daughter of Hawaii. She has seen many changes in Keauhou in her lifetime, but one of the many memories she has is the one great lesson that her father inspired in her as a child: “ Na Malama oe ka aina, Ka aina Ha’awi ia oe, na mea ai”. Roughly translates to “Take care of the land and the land will give back. Be greedy with the land and land will eat you up. Growing up, Lily has lived with that lesson helping her mother take care of the land…